The Benefits Of Having A TFSA

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In 2009, Canada introduced a unique way for Canadians to invest and save money – tax free!

Known as a TFSA, the Tax Free Savings Account is a flexible and simple way to grow a savings account.

What can you save for? Basically, anything you can think of:

What is a TFSA?

A TFSA is a tax free savings account available to Canadians who are 18 years of age or older.

As its name suggests, TFSAs are completely tax free. This means that savings are placed into an eligible investment and grow tax free. All interests, dividends and capital gains are tax free. Even withdrawing from a TFSA is considered non-taxable income.

TFSAs can be used for anything – tuition, down payments, retirement income, emergency funds. They are suitable for both long term and short term savings goals.

The Benefits of a TFSA

1. Draw Income During Retirement

Most retirement incomes are taxable, meaning that you have to pay taxes on any amount you withdraw. Withdraws from a tax free savings account, on the other hand, are not considered income and are not taxed.

If you can establish a healthy TFSA, you can draw on that account for your retirement income before having to touch your taxable RRSPs.

2. Flexibility of Savings

A TFSA gives you the flexibility to save for short term goals such as a vacation, long term goals such as retirement or to have an emergency fund.

You can use a TFSA in so many different ways in so many different stages of your life. Here are some ideas as to how a TFSA can be used:

  • Savings for Education. You may already have a registered education savings plan (RESP) set up for your child – and you probably have already accessed the maximum government grants. If that is the case, you can use a TFSA to save more for your children’s education.
  • Rainy Day Savings. In this uncertain world, you never know when you may need money for good times or bad times. You can use a TFSA in case you lose your job, incur uncovered health care costs or if your home or car require unplanned repairs.
  • Care for Elderly Parents. If you’re responsible for caring for aging parents, a TFSA can help with the cost of healthcare at home or in a long-term care facility.

With a TFSA, you can invest or save – the choice is yours!

3. Reduce Tax on Investments

You can use a tax free savings account to shelter investments that would usually be taxed at a higher rate.

Tax shelters are legal investment vehicles that aim to reduce or eliminate your tax liability. Some are risky and should be avoided, but TFSAs are a safe way to shelter your investments and reduce your bill.

4. No Income Required

In order to open a TFSA, you do not require any proof of income.

As soon as a Canadian turns 18, they only need to prove they are a resident of Canada and provide a social insurance number to begin a tax free savings account.

Once an individual turns 18, they start accumulating contribution room on a TFSA, regardless of employment status.

The contribution room is the maximum amount you can contribute to a TFSA per year. If you do not take advantage of the contribution room, the remainder carried forward to the next year.

5. Does Not Affect Government Benefits

Because withdrawals from a tax free savings account are not considered to be taxable income, taking money from a TFSA does not affect government benefits such as the child tax benefit or retirement supplements like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

Ready to Start Saving – Tax Free?

Our expert accountants at Liu & Associates are ready to answer any questions you may have about opening a Tax Free Savings Account! Contact us today for more information.

Taxes After 65

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Turning 65 is a significant milestone in every Canadian’s life. With the changes in health and lifestyle also comes changes in financial income and taxes.

Understanding what these changes are and how to prepare for them is important in ensuring your taxes are done properly and without error.

Liu & Associates is here to help you understand exactly what changes tax-wise when you reach the age of 65.

What Changes After 65?

Once you turn 65, you are eligible for more tax benefits than younger taxpayers. These include a claimable age amount, pension income amount, medical expenses and other federal credits.

Because you will be receiving age-specific incomes, these payments must be in your yearly tax return.

The following payments are considered taxable income:

  • OAS (Old Age Security)
  • Retiring Allowance
  • Other pensions and superannuation
  • RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)
  • Annuity payments
  • PPRP (Pooled Registered Pension Plan)
  • Retroactive lump sum payments
  • Income from trust or a retirement compensation agreement
  • RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund)
  • CPP (Canada Pension Plan)
  • QPP (Quebec Pension Plan)

Income Sources for Seniors

Being 65 years old and being retired are not mutually exclusive. Many senior Canadians work beyond the age of 65 and, in doing so, can still take advantage of supplemented incomes based on their age.

There are income programs, however, that focus specifically on retired individuals. That being said, income supplements such as OAS can be affected if additional income is made through part-time work.

These are various income sources for Canadian seniors that consider age as well as retirement:

Old Age Security (OAS)

OAS is an income supplement financed by Canadian tax dollars for individuals over the age of 65. It provided benefits to individuals over 65 and is considered taxable income.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

CCP is an income funded by payroll deductions and is available as early as 60 years of age. CPP is also taxed income source.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

The GIS is available to low-income Canadians and is a non-taxed income.

Annuity Payments

Annuities are a financial product sold by an annuity provider, usually a life insurance company. They will pay a guaranteed regular income during retirement but the money received is taxable.

Superannuation

A superannuation is a company plan created by a company for the benefit of its employers to use during retirement. The funds deposited will grow until retirement is reached or the funds are withdrawn. This is a taxable income.

PPRP (Pooled Registered Pension Plan)

This retirement income option is geared toward individuals and self-employed individuals. This plan will move with you from job to job and is considered taxable income. However, it is only considered a “pension income” when you are 65 or older.

RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund)

RRIF’s are arranged between an individual and a carrier such as an insurance company, trust or bank. The fund is registered with the federal government and is taxable income.

Tax Benefits for Seniors

As mentioned above, there are tax benefits once you reach the age of 65. To take full advantage of potential tax benefits, speak to a full-service accounting practice such as Liu & Associates LLP to seek out all qualifying tax credits.

Age Amount

Once you reach the age of 65, you may be eligible to claim an age amount on your taxes. If your net income is less than $83,353, you are able to claim this tax credit.

Pension Income Amount

With the pension income amount, you can claim up to $2000 in credit on eligible pension income. These incomes include a pension or annuity income received as payment for a pension or superannuation plan or payments from an RRSP.

Medical Expenses

If you have any medical expenses that are not reimbursed and equal more than 3% of your income, you can claim them on your taxes.

These include more than prescription medication. As long as the medical necessities you are claiming are prescribed, you can claim items such as:

  • Air conditioners
  • Bathroom aids
  • Chairs
  • Hospital bed
  • Orthopedic shoes, boots, and inserts
  • Page-turner devices
  • Walking aids

In order to claim these expenses, you need to keep your receipts.

Other Federal Credits

The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) offers a Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC). This non-refundable tax credit is available for any home improvements that help to better your quality of life such as walk-in tubs, wheelchair ramps, and hands-free faucets.

Because this is a non-refundable tax credit, it can only be applied to reduce any tax owing and not put toward any refunded taxes.

Tax Tips for Seniors

While not much changes when it comes to filing taxes after the age of 65, there are some considerations worth noting to ensure the procedure is done properly and without error.

For more information regarding any changes to your tax return, please contact our accountants.

1. Stay Organized

Keep track of all your expenses on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Try to keep all your paperwork, including receipts, in one place.

2. OAS and Part-time Income

If you work part-time while claiming OAS, the government will reduce your OAS payment if you make over $75,910 a year. This is called the “OAS clawback” and typically reduces your OAS by 15 cents for every dollar you earn over that amount.

3. Pension Splitting

When you are married or common law, the higher-earning partner can split up to half their pension income with the lower-earning partner. This spreads taxable income so that one partner is not taxed in a higher tax bracket.

4. RRSP’s

Your RRSP contributions provide tax breaks but any money withdrawn is considered taxable income. By the end of the year that your turn 71 you will have to withdraw the funds, convert the funds to a RRIF or use them to purchase an annuity.

Have Questions About Filing Taxes?

If you’re confused about how to file your taxes after the age of 65, please do not hesitate to contact our professional and experienced accountants today.

Maximizing Your Charitable Donation Credits

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The Canadian government encourages its population to give generously by offering a Charitable Donations Tax Credit (CDTC). This tax credit is in existence for those who donate to registered charities.

A donation is anything considered to be a gift in which nothing is given in return. These include money, assets or objects of value.

The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) allows all Canadians to claim up to 29% of all donated amounts. Depending on your province of residence, you may be eligible for up to an additional 24% of all donated amounts.

The CDTC is a non-refundable tax credit. This means that you can only apply any claimable amounts to taxes owing, not taxes refunded.

Qualifying for the Charitable Donations Tax Credit

In order to qualify for the CDTC, you must donate to a registered charity or any public organization that can issue a tax receipt.

The Canadian government’s website offers a searchable online database of registered charities. You can always check with the database to ensure that your donations qualify for the CDTC.

If you donate to a charity or organization that gives you something in return, such an event ticket, you must deduct the value from the donation. The difference can then be claimed.

Claiming Donations on Your Tax Return

Claiming donations on your tax return is one of the least complicated form procedures. Yet, it is still important to understand what information you need and where it goes.

Calculating Charitable Tax Credits

The first step in calculating your charitable tax credit is to determine your eligible amount.

This amount can be claimed for the current applicable tax year but can also be claimed from the previous 5 years (as long as those amounts have never been claimed).

You can calculate your CDTC rate by using the CRA’s charitable donation tax credit calculator.

Necessary Documents

In order to properly file your charitable donations, you need an accurate record of the donations made. Be sure to keep all receipts from your charitable donations.

Just to be safe, you should hang on to additional documentation in case of a review or audit. These documents include pledge forms, cancelled cheques, credit card statements, stubs and/or bank statements.

Once you have the necessary documents, you will need to fill out a Schedule 9 when you file your taxes.

Filling Out the Schedule 9 Form

Filling out the Schedule 9 form is an easy and straightforward process.

Simply claim your eligible donation amount on line 340 of the Schedule 9 form. Work down through the rest of the form in order to calculate your claimable amount on line 34.

You will then transfer the amount of line 34 to line 349 of your Schedule 1 form.

If you’re confused about tax filing and forms, contact Liu & Associates. We can help you make sense of your filing needs.

Maximizing Your Charitable Donation Credits

We know the spirit of giving donations is to support the causes that need them and we know that those who donate do so out of care and kindness.

However, there’s no denying that there are tax benefits for donating and there’s no reason that those who give should not maximize their charitable donation credits.

Set Up Pre-authorized Donations or Payroll Deductions

Setting up pre-authorized donations or payroll deductions is a quick and easy way to make regular donations. It also helps to make donations trackable.

If you set up a payroll deduction to donate toward a registered charity, you will be provided your total donation amount in box 46 of your T4 slip. That way, there is no need to add up receipts or records of donations.

Combine Your Donations With Your Spouse or Partner

When the total of donations claimed on your taxes exceeds $200, they are eligible for bigger deduction benefits.

You can take advantage of those benefits by combining your donations with your spouse or partner. Claim those pooled donations under the spouse or partner who will receive the larger tax benefit.

Because the CDTC is a non-refundable tax credit, it would be beneficial to claim donations under the spouse who will be owing on their taxes. The donation tax credit can reduce that amount.

Carry Forward Your Donations

You can hold onto unclaimed donation receipts for up to 5 years. It may be worth your while to hang on to them and claim them in a single tax year.

You may want to do this if you are claiming other tax credits, such as tuition or education credits, that will contribute to a refund.

Much like the benefits of pooling donations with your spouse or partner, carrying forward your donations is beneficial if you are expecting to owe on your taxes.

Again, the CDTC will not apply to any refunded amounts.

Consider Giving “Gifts in Kind”

Not all claimable donations have to be monetary.

Donations eligible for the CDTC can also be in the form of physical items. These are “Gifts in Kind” and can include items such as artwork or jewelry and even real estate.

When it comes to claiming Gifts in Kind on your taxes, the objects or property value is at fair market value and are used as the tax credit amount.

Take Advantage of the Charitable Donations Tax Credit

If you regularly make donations, or are looking to start, we can help you organize your CDTC tax information. Contact one of our experienced accountants for more information.

Are Vehicle Expenses Tax Deductible?

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If you use your vehicle for any reason related to employment and work, you may be missing out on vehicle expense deductions you can claim when you file your taxes.

While it may not be possible to claim the entirety of your vehicle, there are certain factors you can consider to see if your vehicle expenses are eligible for tax deductions.

Are my vehicle expenses tax deductible?

Some vehicle expenses are tax deductible in Canada as long as you meet certain requirements. Either you must use your own personal vehicle for employment-related purposes or be responsible for expenses related to a company vehicle.

Employment-related purposes may include visiting and/or transporting clients and customers, attending business meeting off-site or traveling from your main job location to a temporary location.

If you use for vehicle for work-related purposes, then your vehicle expenses are tax deductible under the following circumstances:

  • You are normally required to work away from your place of business or in different locations.
  • You are required to pay for expenses under a contract with your employer. Exceptions to this would be if your employer pays for expenses, if you are reimbursed for expenses or if you refuse reimbursement.
  • You did not receive a non-taxable allowance for expenses. This would be an amount given directly to you from the employer for vehicle expenses.
  • You have a T2200 form (Declaration of Conditions of Employment) completed and signed by your employer.

If you receive a non-taxable vehicle allowance from your employer, yet the cost exceeds the allowance, you can claim the difference by voluntarily providing the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) with the amount of allowance you received. You can then claim the difference.

What kind of vehicle expenses can I deduct?

If you meet the requirements for claiming your vehicle expenses on your tax return, you may be able to deduct:

  • Fuel
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Insurance
  • License and registration fees
  • Eligible interest on the vehicle loan
  • Eligible leasing costs of the vehicle

You can also deduct what is called “capital cost allowance” (CCA). This means that, because you cannot deduct the total cost of your vehicle, you can claim part of the cost caused by depreciation.

How much of my vehicle expenses can I claim?

The amount you can claim depends entirely on whether or not the vehicle is used strictly for business purposes or if you use it personally as well. If the vehicle is used for employment and personal use, you can only claim the percentage of expenses related to your job.

This will all be calculated on your tax return but you should track your total kilometers driven and the kilometers driven for work purposes. On your return, you will need to know these amounts for the entire tax year.

Also keep in mind that driving from home to work and from work to home is considered to be personal use. These kilometers are not claimable.

How do I claim my vehicle expenses on my tax return?

The first thing you’ll fill out is Form T777 (Statement of Employment Expenses), specifically lines 5-16 (Calculation of Allowable Motor Vehicle Expenses).

Enter the make, model and year of your car ad well as the total kilometers driven and the total kilometers driven for work during the last tax year.

You’ll end up with a total on line 16 which you can then enter in on line 9281 of the form. Complete the rest of Form T777 – line 9368 is the total you will enter on line 229 of your return.

 

Not sure if your vehicle expenses are tax deductible? We can help! Contact us today for more information.

Are There Any Tax Implications for an Inheritance in Canada?

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In some countries, inheritance taxes are imposed upon an amount inherited by a person from someone who has died. That person is responsible for paying tax on whatever they receive. Fortunately for us in Canada, inheritance taxes do not exist when it comes to receiving an inheritance from a loved one.

Instead, the estate of the deceased pays the taxes before any money or value is transferred to the beneficiary. This means that, in the end, the beneficiary should not have to worry about taxes.

While this may reduce the initial value of the estate, it certainly provides peace of mind to beneficiaries and loved ones who would otherwise shoulder the burden of any owing taxes, interests or penalties.

Who Inherits the Estate?

Who inherits the estates all depends on whether or not the deceased left a valid will. An estate is considered to be everything that a person owns when they die, including their property and their debts. A will is a legal document that describes who will inherit the estate after the owner of the will passes away.

With a will, the estate is distributed as per the directions of the will after taxes and expenses are paid and settled. If, however, the deceased did not have a valid will, then government-imposed rules are applied:

  • If there is a surviving spouse but no surviving descendants, then the spouse receives the estate.
  • If there are surviving descendants, and no surviving spouse, then the descendants receive the estate.
  • If there are both surviving descendants and a spouse, the spouse receives the household furnishing and the spousal preferential share (a specified amount from the estate before other distributions are made). The spouse then receives half the remainder of the estate, with the other half split between descendants.
  • If there are no descendants or spouse, the estate goes to other relatives based on a government-imposed distribution schedule.

Filing the Deceased’s Final Tax Return

After a person passes away, their tax return is filed and any owing taxes are paid by the estate. This is done by the deceased’s legal representative, which is usually an executor or estate administrator. This individual also notifies the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) and Service Canada of the date of death and forwards any necessary documents.

The final tax return and owing taxes are due on April 30th if the deceased passed away between January 1st and October 31st. Otherwise, they are due six months after the date of death.

Any owing income tax is paid by the estate first.

Clearance Certificate

After the deceased’s taxes are filed and settled, a Clearance Certificate needs to be requested from the CRA to confirm that all taxes have been paid. A Clearance Certificate confirms that the estate has paid any taxes, interest and penalties owed.

A Clearance Certificate is necessary because it allows the legal representative to distribute the inheritance to any receivers without the risk of being personally responsible for any amounts owing.

Distribution of Inheritance

After the Clearance Certificate is obtained, the executor distributes what remains of the estate in accordance to the will. The entire process from death to receiving inheritance can be a lengthy process, as wills have to be verified, items appraised and taxes filed.

Ultimately, the beneficiary will never have to worry about paying taxes on any amounts received.

 

Need help? Contact Liu & Associates today!

Is it Ever TOO Late to File Taxes?

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Whether you owe money to the government, or are expected a refund on your taxes, it can be too late to file your taxes.

The deadline for filing taxes in Canada is April 30th. If that date falls on the weekend it is then moved to the next business day. While you can file your taxes any time throughout the year, there are certain consequences for filing late.

These consequences depend entirely on whether or not you owe taxes to the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) or if the CRA owes you a refund. Either way, filing late can cause serious disruptions in your finances.

If You Owe Money

If you owe money, and do not file your taxes or file them late, you can face a hefty penalty on the amount owing.

When you file late, or not at all, the CRA charges compound daily interest starting on the day after the due date (usually May 1st) on any unpaid amount. This includes any unpaid amounts from previous years.

The penalty for filing late is 5% on the total amount owing plus 1% for each month the return is late. This interest is calculated up to 12 months past the due date.

For example, if you owe $10 000 and file your taxes 5 months late, the CRA will charge 5% interest on the owing amount plus an additional 5% (1% for each month late). This means you will ultimately owe $11 000 on your taxes.

If You Are Owed Money

If you have money coming your way, you have up to 10 years to complete your return and receive your refund. Beyond that deadline, your refund is lost and cannot be claimed.

However, filing late even when you are receiving a refund may cause delays with your spouse or common-law partner if their refund depends on information from your return.

Another delay can occur if you receive benefit payments, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit or the Working Income Tax Benefits, or a GST credit. Your payments may be interrupted since your eligibility is determined by your reported income.

Finding Out if You Owe Money or Not

In order to determine which set of consequences you could potentially face, you need to know whether or not you will be owing money to the government. You can do this one of 3 ways:

  • Calculate your taxes via government provided forms.
  • Use online software to calculate your taxes.
  • Have a company provide a free estimate.

However, if you are taking the time to fill out the necessary forms to determine whether or not you owe money, you may as well file the taxes. Even if you do owe, delaying the inevitable will only increase the interest on the amount owed.

Even If You Owe Money, You Should File As Soon As Possible

Despite whether or not you can pay the owing amount by the due date, you should file your taxes on time. Luckily, the CRA can work out a payment arrangement so you can make smaller payments over time until your debt is paid.

If you don’t, you are looking at that accruing interest on the unpaid amount beginning immediately after the tax filing deadline.

While ignoring the problem may seem like a good way to make it go away, letting your taxes sit in limbo will only make matters worse down the road – whether you end up paying large interest rates or lose out on GST credits and benefit payments.

Not Sure What to Do?

Contact us today to speak with a dedicated professional who will be more than happy to address your current situation and determine your tax-related needs.

Is There a Penalty for Filing Taxes Late if You Owe Nothing?

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In Canada, there are no fees or penalties if you file your taxes late – as long as you don’t owe anything.

The main consequence of filing late when you owe nothing is a delay in receiving any returns you are owed. The CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) simply holds your refund until you do file. Filing late may also cause delays with spouses and common-law partners in which the calculation of a tax refund depends on information from your return.

Also, if you receive benefit payments, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit or the Working Income Tax Benefit, your payments may be interrupted since your eligibility is determined by your reported income.

Alternatively, there are serious financial consequences to filing late, or not filing at all, if you owe money on your taxes.

Tax Filing Deadline

Canadian tax returns for any specific year must be filed by April 30th of the next year. The only exception are returns for self-employed individuals, who have until June 15th of the following year.

Late Filing Penalties

If you owe money on your tax return, and file late or not at all, the CRA will charge compound daily interest starting on May 1st on any unpaid amounts. This includes any unpaid amounts from previous years.

The penalty for late filing is 5% on the total amount owing plus 1% for each month the return is late up to 12 months.

For example, if you owe $10 000 and file your taxes 5 months late, the CRA will charge 5% interest on the owing amount plus an additional 5% (1% for each month late). This means you will ultimately owe $11 000 on your taxes.

Tax Payers Relief Provision

Life happens and filing previous tax returns, or paying any taxes owed, may be hindered by unfortunate life situations. The CRA administers legislation called the “Tax Payers Relief Provision” that gives the CRA discretion to:

  • cancel or waive penalties or interest,
  • accept late tax filing,
  • reduce the amount owed.

This provision can apply to taxpayers who have filed late due to extreme circumstances, the inability to pay or financial hardship. These exceptions are granted based on review of individual cases by a CRA agent.

This means that just because you are having a hard time filing or paying your taxes doesn’t mean you will automatically be granted this provision. You must prove your situation to the CRA.

What to do if Your Taxes are Late

Even if you’ve missed the filing deadlines, it is extremely important that you file your taxes anyway! Ignoring the problem does not make it go away and the sooner you file, the less you have to pay in interest penalties.

If you owe on your taxes but cannot pay by the due date, you can work out a payment arrangement with the CRA so that you can make smaller payments over time until your debt and interests are paid.

The CRA will grant a payment arrangement if you can show that you have tried to pay the debt by borrowing money or reducing your expenses. They may require proof of your income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

Should you miss a payment during the payment arrangement, the CRA may revoke the arrangement.

Have questions about filing your taxes late or on time? Contact us for more information!

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How To Work With The CRA To File Tax Returns From Previous Years

Computer-chair-and-desk-full-of-filesWhatever the reason may be, sometimes people fail to file their tax returns on time, or in some extreme circumstances, ever! Failure to submit your tax return can have some nasty consequences, including hefty fines and penalties. If you find yourself in this situation know that not all hope is lost; the good news is that there is a way to file tax returns from previous years in Canada. However, how you handle the situation will depend on your circumstances. Read on to learn about what options you have if you need to file tax returns from previous years.

Scenario 1: You Think You Might Owe the CRA Some Money

If you believe that you will owe money to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), it’s best to file your late taxes sooner rather than later. As mentioned above, you risk facing sizable penalties and interest charges on any unpaid tax debt. The longer you wait to file, the more you’ll owe. Don’t think just because the CRA hasn’t contacted you that they’ve forgotten you – eventually they will come to collect. So what do you do?

  1. Speak to a professional. A tax accountant can help you through the process of sifting through paperwork and organizing it to submit to the CRA. They can also give you advice on any penalties that you might face.
  2. Ask about the Voluntary Disclosure Program. The CRA has created a program called the Voluntary Disclosure Program which provides Canadians a second chance to correct their taxes or submit any returns that were never filed. There are certain conditions that must apply, but if you qualify for the program, you can get relief from prosecution and certain penalties.

Scenario 2: You Don’t Think You Owe Any Money

Even if you are quite sure that you don’t owe the CRA any money, it’s still important to file your tax returns each year. Failure to do so could mean that you’re missing out on credits and benefits that could end up with the CRA giving you money! Examples of these include GST credits and child benefit payments.

Unless you are 100% sure you don’t owe any money, it’s still worth it to chat with a tax professional before filing to ensure you have a good understanding of your situation. Otherwise, it’s as simple as submitting the tax return late. The CRA allows you to use the same methods for filing that you would use to file your return on time. You can use a tax preparation software, mail in a return prepared by a professional, or complete the CRA’s General Income Tax and Benefit Package and mail it in. If you don’t owe any money, there are no penalties for late filing.

Searching For Tax Help?

Have you let your tax filings slip? Don’t worry! The team at Liu & Associates can help. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our tax experts.

 

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2019 Tax Changes: What To Expect

2019-in-sparkling-numbersAs 2019 comes into full swing, it’s bringing some tax changes with it that will have some big impacts on Canadians and small business owners. With income tax being the top expense for most Canadian families, it’s worth it to be aware of what’s going to change in 2019. Read on as Liu & Associates highlights a few of the major changes you’ll see in 2019 when it comes to your income taxes.

Why Do Tax Rules Change?

Taxes can change for a number of reasons. People often see changes to taxes when a new government comes into power, when a government is trying to win favour with voters, or when a loophole is identified. It’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of the tax landscape so you are aware of the changes and how they might impact you. Worst case scenario, you could face a reassessment or penalty from the CRA if you fail to take into account the new tax rules when filing your next return.

Increase In CPP Premiums

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) premiums will be on the rise for the next five years due to a program enhancement plan. What does this mean for you? You’ll notice more money off your paycheque going to CPP. The good news is that you’ll eventually get to reap the benefits of this extra money in retirement.

Decrease In Employment Insurance Premium

While CPP premiums may be increasing, employment insurance (EI) premiums will going the opposite direction. Employment insurance premiums are being decreased by four cents for every $100 of insurable earnings. This is the second year of decreases to EI premiums.

Decrease In Small Business Tax Rate

Small business owners can rejoice the fact that their tax rate is going down from 10 to nine percent. Similar to EI premiums, this is the second year we’ve seen decreases in the small business tax rate. This reduction makes the combined federal-provincial-territorial average income tax rate for small businesses 12.2 percent, which is the lowest in the G7. Tax savings means more money to reinvest in your company.

Changes To The Working Income Tax Benefit

The Working Income Tax Benefit is a refundable tax credit that helps to give tax relief to low-income individuals and families. At the start of 2019, the program was renamed the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) and was enhanced in order to put more money in the pockets of low-income workers and encourage them to stay in the workforce. To keep things easy, the CRA will automatically determine if you’re eligible to receive the CWB and assess your tax return as if you’ve already claimed it, even if you hadn’t upon your original filing.

If you need help filing your 2019 tax return, contact the team at Liu & Associates today. Our experts are up to date on all tax system updates and will make sure you get the best return possible.

 

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How To Manage An Inheritance

an-accountant-helping-a-client-manage-their-trust-while-sitting-outside-of-a-shopComing into a lump sum of money suddenly, be it big or small, can be jarring to say the least. A sizable inheritance can represent a life-changing opportunity, if managed properly. Follow these five tips to make sure you’re managing your money smart and effectively to keep you financially stable for years to come.

1. Take A Step Back

Because an inheritance usually comes with a loss, it’s important for you take time to deal with your grief. You don’t want to be making any major financial decision when you’re in an emotional haze.

The second thing you need to do is take a reality check. Before you go quitting your job or booking a flight to Europe, you need to think realistically about what your inheritance is going to do for your life. $90,000 might seem like a lot at the time, but that’s not enough to sustain you and your family for 25+ years. You need to consider whether your new found fortune is going to rewrite your financial goals, or simply just help you reach some of your existing goals a bit sooner.

2. Pay off Debts

Using your inheritance to pay down or pay off any current debts can help you to reduce your expenses and save you money that would go towards interest down the line. When choosing which debts to pay off first, always pick the loans with higher interest rates first, like credit cards, personal loans, or car loans, before paying off a lower interest rate loan like your mortgage.

3. Prioritize Your Goals

Identifying your financial goals will help you determine the next steps you take with your money. Cleaning up any debt should always be a top priority, followed by creating a retirement nest egg. After that the sky’s the limit; others goals may include:

Determining what your financial goals are will help guide you in the types of investments you make, or the types of accounts you open.

4. Splurge Thoughtfully

It’s okay, and even encouraged, to have a little fun with your new money! Depending on the size of the inheritance, your “splurge” will look very different. It could be anything from some new shoes to a new house! Remember: reason and moderation are what it’s all about. Just because you can buy 10 swimming pools doesn’t necessarily mean that you should!

5. Hire Some Help

Depending on the type of inheritance you received (ex. Investments, life insurance, etc.) there may be some hidden taxes you are unaware of. A financial advisor or accountant can help you create a financial plan and deal with any tax implications that might come your way. They will help you understand your inheritance, and can assist you in managing it moving forward.

For help managing your inheritance, trust the team at Liu & Associates. Call today to book an appointment.

 

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